Our lorry drivers deserve respect | Letters
Although current shortages have highlighted poor pay and conditions for goods vehicle drivers, it is not a new problem (Food, beer, toys, medical kit... why are we running out of everything?", Focus). In the 1990s, after a career in road transport management, I briefly went to live in the US. On returning to Britain, I dusted off my commercial driving licence and signed up with a driver agency.
My first experience of being on the other side of the transport office desk was that as a driver you become invisible - spoken over and around and ignored. Major national companies who specify a narrow time slot for their delivery will turn you away if you arrive outside that window but keep you waiting in their yard sometimes for hours once you have checked in, not permitting you to even use their toilet facilities.
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